PERU – Westfalia Fruit Peru, a subsidiary of the avocado specialist Westfalia, is expanding its fruit export portfolio by adding blueberries.

The company will begin harvesting its first crop in August from Lambayeque and Áncash, aiming to ship approximately 500 tons to the United States, Europe, and Asia in its first year.

General Manager Omar Díaz shared with Peruvian daily Gestión that the pilot for blueberry production was scheduled to start last year but faced delays due to El Niño.

“We are working with the Matías variety, but we are also evaluating other varieties,” Díaz stated. “Our goal is to ensure significant volumes of high-quality products for the international market by focusing on the high genetic quality of the plants.”

In the future, Westfalia plans to expand blueberry production to other areas, projecting an annual output growth of 15-20 percent.

Peru’s Blueberry Industry

Peru’s blueberry industry has established itself as a reliable and innovative supplier for global markets.

According to a recent USDA report, in the marketing year (MY) 2022/23, Peru exported fresh blueberries primarily to the United States (54%), the Netherlands (25%), China (8%), Hong Kong (5%), and the United Kingdom (5%).

Total fresh exports in MY 2022/23 increased by 30 percent from the previous year, rising from 219,000 metric tons (MT) to 287,000 MT.

Peruvian blueberry exports to the U.S. have grown significantly, from 27,000 MT in MY 2016/17 to 154,097 MT in MY 2022/23, marking a 470 percent increase over six years.

As exports have grown, prices have seen a downward trend, particularly in the last three seasons. However, the average export price in MY 2023/24 is notably higher at $8,314 per MT, driven by limited supply.

For MY 2023/24, Peru’s blueberry production is expected to reach 195,000 MT, a 37 percent decrease compared to the previous year.

Despite this decline, the long-term prospects for Peru’s blueberry industry remain robust. The industry’s ability to adapt and grow underlines its importance to the global market.

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